•How AWO Supported EARNEST OKOLI In 1994
The drama and suspense which Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s support for Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential election come February next year threw up was not the first of its kind in Nigeria’s history. Though, it has stirred controversy and, of course, surprise because of its ethnic self confrontation label. Adebanjo is the acting leader of Yoruba socio-cultural body, Afenifere that is the fore most promoter of Yoruba interest in the country. That is why his support for Obi in a race that has Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a bona fide Yoruba as a candidate is regarded a height of oddity. City People’s finding has revealed that such a support was not absurd or a surprise in the history of elections in the country.
It is a fact that election brings forth ethnic divide. This was, however, not the case in 1944 when the first election of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) took place. A leader of the Yoruba, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo supported an Ijaw man, the late Earnest Ikoli to beat a Yoruba man, Samuel Akinsanya, who later became Odemo of Ishara.
Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) could be said to be the first pressure group in Nigeria. It was founded by a group of young men, who came together in 1932 to fight a cause of inferiority complex slammed on the country by birth of Yaba Higher College that was not affiliated to any British university at the time. Absence of being an apron-string of any Britain’s university seriously lowered the esteem in which the new higher school was held in public the school. Those, who were regarded educated elite of the time did not take the tag of inferiority hung on the neck of Yaba Higher College lightly. They resolved to do something about it as quickly as possible to give the school due recognition . That could be said without any fear of contradiction was the major insentive that led to the setting up of the Nigerian Youth Movement. The youth were bent on removing inferior tag from the Yaba Higher College’s neck.
Among the pioneer founders of the organisation were The late Kofo Abayomi, who was the first president of the movement, Earnest Ikoli, was the Deputy President of the group. Ikoli was a journalist, who was the maiden editor of Daily Times in 1926, and also a member of the Legislative Council representing Lagos.
Also on the list were: Professor Eta Iyo, Samuel Akinsanya among others members who made the organisation, a very powerful and influential body that came to play a decisive role in the development of Nigerian founded in Lagos and named Lagos Youth Movement. To give the group a national spread, which earned it nationwide acceptance, its name was changed to Nigeria Youth Movement.
As a pioneer Nationalist Youth Organisation in the country, it faced, abi nitio the burden of setting agenda for Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development. Largely, this group of educated young Nigerians was thrust to the front because of their knowledge to shoulder heavy load of responsibility, accountants who had schooled abroad teamed up with those at home to give the movement a robust structure.
It was about that period that the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola became members of the NYM. This was an evidence that the body was growing in strength to deliver its self imposed mandate to lead Nigeria out of colonialism and, of curse, into freedom and independence. 1944 was fast approaching and in line with the schedule of the movement, it was an election year. I was a time for the movement to elect a new executive to run the affairs of the organisation.
For the office of president, two persons had indicated intention to contest the office. They the late Samuel Akinsaya, a Yorubaman and a unionist. The other contestant was the late Earnest Ikoli, who had been the deputy president of the movement since 1932. Akinsanya was from the defunct Western Region, while Ikoli was from the East. The surprise that manifested during the preparation and campaign for the election was that the late Awolowo was rooting for Ikoli to become the president, while the late Azikiwe was strongest supporter for Akinsaya. Without mincing words, observers were surprised at what was regarded an oddity. The leaders of the two contestants, Dr. Azikiwe and Chief Awolowo put everything they had to win the election. It should be mentioned that at the time the campign for the 1942 election was imminent, there were political parties that were attracting members of like-minds The chief campaigners for the two candidates harnessed their influence among NYM members to win the election. Result after the poll declared Ikoli winner.
–Tajudeen Adigun
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